Shoplifter who caused 'significant issues' for Southend businesses is jailed

A PROLIFIC shoplifter, who stole items totalling £1,300 from shops across Southend, has been sentenced to a year in prison.

James Coleman, 35, who had already been made subject to a Criminal Behaviour Order, carried out 11 thefts from shops between May 26 and June 10.

The 35-year-old stole items totally nearly £1,300 from shops in Southend and Westcliff.

He was arrested by officers in Southend who were working as part of Operation Raker.

Coleman was then charged with a series of offences including theft from a shop and breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order.

At Southend Magistrates’ Court, he admitted the charges and was sentenced to a total of a year in prison.

Investigating officer PC Lois Greenlees said: “James Coleman is a prolific shoplifter who has caused significant issues to local businesses.

“We are committed to helping make Southend a safe and prosperous area, and tackling shoplifters is an important part of that.

“We support our businesses and want to ensure they can go about their trade without concerns about people coming in and impacting on their work.”

James Coleman had been made subject to a Criminal Behaviour Order in March last year, banning him from entering certain shops in Southend and Westcliff for two years.

Back in March 2023, he admitted 15 counts of theft from a shop involving more than £1,600 of goods.

After appearing at Southend Magistrates’ Court on March 13, 2023, Coleman was jailed for a total of 28 weeks, and ordered to pay £914.40 in compensation.

He was also issued with a two-year criminal behaviour order, which banned him from entering Co-op stores in Sutton Road, Southend, and London Road, Westcliff.

Back in March 2023, Essex Police stated that Coleman stole more than £1,600 worth of alcohol, chocolate, tobacco, men’s clothing, laundry products and toiletries from Co-op and Matalan stores in Sutton Road, Southend; Boots in Hamlet Court Road, Southend; Waitrose stores in Eastern Avenue, Southend, and London Road, Westcliff; and the BP store, also in London Road, Westcliff.